When Andy Robertson joined Liverpool in 2017, he carried the weight of a proud Scottish lineage at Anfield. Though he wasn't born when Kenny Dalglish ended his first managerial stint in 1991, Robertson quickly learned the expectations that come with wearing the red shirt north of the border.
"When I first signed, all the names were thrown at me," Robertson recalled in a recent BBC interview with Kelly Cates and Dalglish. "Your dad, Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness... I know the Liverpool fans do love a Scottish player in their team. And I know usually if there's a Scottish player, it brings a bit of success as well."
That bond traces back to Bill Shankly, and Dalglish stands as its most revered living embodiment. Over 14 years as captain then player-manager, he scored 172 goals and won 18 major trophies, including eight league titles and three European Cups.
Now, as Robertson prepares to play his final match at Anfield on Sunday, he departs as the latest Scot to leave an indelible mark. Signed by Jurgen Klopp for £8m from Hull City, Robertson rose from Scotland's fourth tier to redefine the full‑back role. His 60 Premier League assists rank second among defenders, and he has collected nine major trophies, including two league titles and the Champions League.
Dalglish called Robertson "a great credit" to the club, but for Robertson, legacy is about more than silverware. He played with the passion of a fan and will now turn his focus to captaining Scotland at their first men's World Cup in 28 years. He is just 10 caps shy of Dalglish's national record of 102.
Tragedy also connects the two Scots. Dalglish guided Liverpool through the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and was part of the team that played the 1985 European Cup final, where 39 fans died. Robertson, after winning Liverpool's 20th league title last summer, lost his friend and teammate Diogo Jota in a car crash.
"None of us cared about football," Robertson said. "Pre‑season is meant to prepare you, but the manager and coaches couldn't really do that. We started well in difficult circumstances – as footballers you have no option. You have to continue because people want to see a Liverpool team on the pitch. That helps people get over tragedy, but you're the ones who have to go out and do it."
Despite the emotional toll, Robertson refused to use Jota's death as an excuse for an inconsistent season. Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League going into the final match.
"We have let ourselves down," he admitted. "Our performances haven't been good enough. Our consistency, aggression, determination – everything that makes a Liverpool team."
Robertson has also endured heart‑breaking near‑misses: twice finishing a point behind Manchester City, including 2018–19 with 97 points, and losing two Champions League finals to Real Madrid. But Klopp's belief never wavered.
After the 2018 loss in Kyiv, Klopp told his squad, "This is just the start of our journey. We'll be back here next year." They returned to win the 2019 Champions League and followed it with the Premier League the next year – ending a 30‑year drought.
"We knew how desperate people were for a Premier League at Liverpool," Robertson said. "The fans were basically desperate."
When Klopp departed, many feared the success would end. But Arne Slot led Liverpool to the title in his first season, equaling Manchester United's record of 20 English top‑flight titles.
"We wanted to prove that Liverpool could carry on without Klopp," Robertson said. "I don't think anyone tipped us to win the Premier League."
As Robertson's Liverpool chapter closes, he leaves a legacy of resilience, loyalty, and the enduring link between Liverpool and Scotland.